Author and historian Robert Zimmerman spoke about space-related issues and also shared his contention that there isn't enough evidence to confirm that global warming is happening. We don't have enough data over long-term cycles to draw any definitive conclusions about the Earth's upcoming climate, he maintained.

He touched on space tourism which he said the Russians are continuing to develop and private space ventures, such as Amazon's Jeff Bezos, who is quietly building a spaceport in Texas.

Zimmerman, whose next book will be about Hubble, said the space telescope has been one of the most significant scientific instruments, giving people a completely new perspective of the universe. The previously unseen clarity of its images had a genuine cultural impact, he noted. If the next Shuttle missions go smoothly, he is hopeful that a repair mission tentatively scheduled for Dec. 2007 will go forward, and keep Hubble running for another decade.

Gilliland & UFOs

During the first hour, Art spoke with ET/UFO contactee James Gilliland and several witnesses to UFO activity at Gilliland's ranch in Washington state. Two of the witnesses, both of whom work for large aerospace companies, said they observed lights change courses, stop, and shoot off into space, without any conventional explanation.

Another witness, an expert in commercial aviation, said he believes Gilliland has an "attunement" to the UFOs, as he would comment on the direction of upcoming craft or lights before they became visible. Gilliland said he can "feel" craft in the area as an energy and a knowingness. Steve Moreno, a UFO investigator, also appeared and discussed his experiences at the ranch, noting that the lights display a willingness to be recorded. Gilliland made available to us material to accompany his presentation, including audio of a "beamship."